St Helens Town Hall will host a Civic Reception and Dinner on June 3 as part of the milestone 20th Furnace Solutions Conference 2026, organised by the Society of Glass Technology. The two-day international event will bring together leading figures from the global glass industry under the theme “Decarbonisation: What’s the Reality?”

The Civic Reception will serve as a central social and networking highlight of the conference, offering delegates an opportunity to connect with glassmakers, suppliers, and end users from around the world. The evening will also include the traditional Geoff Evans Dinner, further strengthening its role as a key industry gathering point.

St Helens Council welcomed the decision to host the conference in the town, highlighting its long-standing glassmaking heritage and its growing role as a hub for innovation. The council referenced key local industry players such as Pilkington and Knauf Insulation, as well as upcoming investment from SINA Medical Glass, alongside the work of Glass Futures and its advanced research and technology centre.

According to the council, hosting the conference provides an opportunity to both celebrate St Helens’ industrial legacy and showcase its future-focused developments in sustainable manufacturing and decarbonisation technologies.